Austin Dillon and RCR bring back the number '3' to NASCAR

The number '3' returns to Daytona.

Today, Richard Childress debuted the car his grandson Austin Dillon will drive for the 2014 Sprint Cup season. This wouldn't be news if not for the number
emblazoned on the side of the rookie's car: The number '3'. I can hear razorblades on glass already as people peel off emblems.

The last time the number '3' was used on a Sprint Cup car was back in 2001, when the tragic, fatal crash on the last lap at Daytona took Dale Earnhardt, Sr. out of
this world. Since then, Childress has elected not to use '3' in the Sprint Cup. In this time, countless tributes in the form of tattoos, stickers, t-shirts, and the like
have been produced for fans who mourned and continue to mourn the passing of their hero. Unfortunately, because of this, the number '3' has become a brand in
itself, and a new driver in the number '3' will therefore be controversial.

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Dale Earnhardt, Sr. didn't always run the number '3', in fact Richard Childress himself ran the '3' and before him, Junior Johnson had the numeral on his car as well. It wasn't until 1983, three years after his first championship win, that Earnhardt, Sr. took over Ricky Rudd's
'3' for Richard Childress Racing. However, the six championships that followed were behind the wheel of the Wrangler car, which was followed infamous"Intimidator" Goodwrench, both with
Earnhardt, Sr.'s signature number on the side.

Childress has the right to use the number whether anyone likes it or not; He had drivers running that number before it was attributed to Dale, Sr. It
also appears Dillon is aware of the heavy crown that his grandfather has just placed on his head. None of this matters terribly to the fans, and there will be obvious backlash
throughout the sport, deserved or not.

#NASCAR … Austin Dillon & Richard Childress said it was important to have support of Dale Jr, Kelley Earnhardt & family. #AskMRN@MRNRadio

According to the reporting by Dustin Long of MRN Radio, the Earnhardt family was consulted, and they are on board. Dale Jr. has also expressed that he is
excited to have his father's number back on the track, but I can't help but wonder how long it will take him to get used to seeing the number '3' in his
rearview or out the windshield.

Dillon and the number '3' will make their official on-track debut in February at Daytona, and the reactions of Dale, Sr. fans remains to be seen.